American midfielder Ernest Nungaray made his first appearance for Monarcas Morelia on Thursday.

Nungaray came on in the 88th minute and played out the dying minutes of the club's CONCACAF Champions League match against Motagua.

The 19 year old has spent several seasons with Morelia's U-20 team. Nungaray had made first team bench on several occasions in the past, including Morelia's CCL qualifying matches against Haiti's TempÍte and two games in the 2010-11 league season.

Nungaray earned his first call up to the US U-20 team in June 2010 and was involved in several subsequent U-20 camps.

The National City, California native flirted with the Mexican U-20 program, but returned to the US fold in March when he was named to the US U-20 provisional roster for qualification. He has since affirmed his desire to play for the US in an interview with YA in September.